1939

Atlantic Ocean,

13 December 1939

The pride of Germany, the Graf Spee, was loose in the Atlantic. 9 British merchants ships totalling 50,000 tons had been sunk. When 3 British cruisers Ajax, Exeter and Achilles closed in on her. Known as the epic Battle of the River Plate, and Britain's 1st victory of WWII.

Tricked by British reports, Captain Langsdorff believed he faced annihilation against a superior force beyond the horizon and defied Hitler's order to fight to the last man. He ordered the scuttling of his ship and 3 days later committed suicide, lying on Graf Spee's battle ensign.

"In the dark cold winter it warmed the cockles

of the British hearts." Winston Churchill